SBTL

I got my new TL 6MT with A-SPEC over the weekend and I love this car! I was driving a 1990 Nissan Maxima SE 5MT, which I will be selling. I ordered an Infiniti G35 12/1/03 but after almost 4 months they couldn't get me a car so I asked for my deposit back, drove the TL and the rest is history. The TL was very good to begin with but with the A-SPEC it's holds the road like a go-kart with minimal torque steer. I know I'll get comments that the A-SPEC is eye candy and ads extra weight but the suspension mods wheels and tires are incredible. Don't knock it until you try it. (Not that I am offering my car up as a demonstrator.) It was worth the extra $ to me but I'm sure I'll get my share of negative comments (from people who probably want it but can't afford it.) Ironic that on the way home I pulled up along side some guy and his girlfriend/wife with a G35 with the bodykit (not sure if it was a 6MT) and you should have seen them check out my car! I got (what I think) is a great deal from Gold Coast Acura in Ventura, CA (Joe Joines is an excellent salesperson) $37750 with door edge gards, all season floor mats and trunk liner + Tax/License, which according to my figures is >$2000 off of MSRP.
So, hello to all...see you on the highway!

jimbobo

Hey SBTl,

I have to ask since I am in the market for a TL.

What is the main difference with the A-SPEC package. I have only driven the base TL and I liked it very much. Do you feel like you are driving a bad ass sports car with the A-SPEC package? I am looking for a dynamic handler and I am willing to pay for the package if it is worth it. I hate BMW and will not buy a status symbol.

peace
jim

SBTL

In my opinion is makes a striking difference in handling and minimizing torque steer. There was a review in a recent Motor Trend (I think 4/04 and available on line) that was very favorable.
Unfortunately, there are no demonstrators, so you you just got to take the plung.
IMO it was worth every penny!

Aegir

Congratulations and welcome to the forum! My only problem with the A-spec is that I didn't know about it before I bought my TL, my dealer didn't mention it, and now that I have the underbody kit it's hard to justify buying the entire A-spec kit! :smackhead It sounds like a very well thought out package. I'm sure you will enjoy it!

caball88

what a waste of money on the A-spec...J/K hehehehe. congratulations on the car. the A-spec body kit is so simple but adds so much to the looks of the car. I was very close to getting a G35 as well but unfortuanately they didn't make the coupe in awd. it snows here and i don't have a second car. I wonder how different the A-spec car is with torque steer? i didn't make a big deal about it until i got the car and drove it through some sharp turns. no big deal, 90% of the time i will not come across this problem at all. Enjoy the new ride.

SBTL

I took the stock TL 6MT for a long test drive before I bought. Compared with stock, the A-SPEC results in much less torque steer and holds the road like you hold your sweetheart. According to MT, the stiffened front end results in less nose dive and better braking as well.

But I don't know... maybe the A-SPEC detractors are right, it's probably just the cool thicker steering wheel and bodykit that makes it feel so good...that and the fact that I have to justify the extra 5k. Whatever, the less A-SPEC kits arround, the better. Don't you all run out and get A-SPEC kits now!

Aegir

Funny, I haven't encountered any A-spec detractors who actually OWN an A-spec...

You might be on to something with that thicker steering wheel, though. I'm off to the hardware store to find some foam pipe insulation!

harddrivin1le

The 6 speed car should come STANDARD (from the factory) with the A-spec hardware (minus the "ground effects").

It should be optional on automatic cars (which would include the front Brembos and larger anti-roll bars from the 6 speed).

IMO: The BMW 330i Sport is too hard to pass up for ~ $38K.

SBTL

Problem is, the BMW 330i is not $38.5K. Once you add the performance package, heated seats, moon roof and xenon lights (which you need to do to compare to the TL with A-SPEC) the MSRP is 42.5K and for a much smaller car with much less interior room. I'm 6'3" and when I get in a 330i (or an Audi A4 for that matter) and put the seat back, there is very little rear seat leg room. I took my 12 and 9 year olds to try it out and they were cramped and would not enjoy a long ride. With the TL you get BMW 5 series size at a less than 3 series price with excellent performance. I paid $37,750 and I doubt you get the BMW 330i for close to that with all the above options. I'm happy with my choice and I don't think I overspent (for a FWD car) or wasted my money…but hey, go buy a BMW, the TL will be just that more unique!

harddrivin1le

Throw in the same $2K "discount" and the 330i is $40.5K.

A-Spec is essentially worthless @ resale unless you're lucky enough to find a buyer who REALLY want its and is willing to pay.

Aspector Gadget

Has anyone been able to talk the dealer into just installing the Shocks and springs from the A-spec?

I am trying to get a 6mt w/ navi and have the A-specs' improved suspenion put on without the bodykit. It is a dealer addon but the saleman swears they have to buy it as a package. I am thinking this is BS because if someone has an A-spec and the shocks/springs have to be replaced, the parts dept. can definitely get them.

rynpamn21

any REFERENCE regarding this?

harddrivin1le

Dealer installed items typcially aren't worth crap @ resale.

A-Spec is worth ~ $1,800 (as a factory option). It isn't worth $5K plus (plus the hassle of having to deal with the OEM springs, shocks and wheels/tires).

harddrivin1le

I've heard that you have to buy THE ENTIRE PACKAGE to get the springs and the shocks.

It's nuts; those springs and shocks @ the factory level would cost Acura about what the OEM stuff costs them.

bktabinga

Hey!! Congrats, I agree, is it expensive...yes, do I think its worth it, hell ya!

I got my ASPEC on an anthracite metallic. As far as willing to pay, there is always the risk, i.e., my ITR 98 is hard to sell for what "I THINK ITS WORTH". Do I regret sometimes having shelled out the bucks when it first came out, and the fact I have been testing the market, sometimes. Do I regret the driving experience, the many compliments, the pure thrill of the ride, NO...and thats why I still have the ITR.

Here is my justification in a nutshell, my buddy has a 330, pretty sick looking, when we drove around, it was kind of like, yeah, another BMW, handles nice, quick, a little crowded for a small guy like me (my friend liked to call it cozy?). But no other looks, why should you, its just another one of a thousand million BMW's.

But when I drove my Acura TL ASPEC home the other day, I was complimented, stared at, high beamed by other Acura owners. Point is, they noticed, and when you pay that much, you hope for the time you own it, it gives you the performance, WHICH IT DOES (thanks to the heavy steering wheel ) and it gives you the respect on the road.

That being said, NO ONE BUY THE ASPEC , I want to keep that respect

I haven't seen one at all in Virginia, I know of alot of people with the ASPEC in Cali, but then again, its Cali (I can say that because I'm from there)...

here are pics of mine...

TorontoTL

That is one beautiful TL, congratulations.

Aegir

Great looking car! Those 18" Acura wheels are looking better and better to me! (wife sighs...)

SBTL

I keep my cars for 10+ years so who cares about resale value?
My last car was a 1990 Nissan Maxima SE 5MT.
Look...don't buy the A-SPEC, it's obviously not worth it for you.
I kind of like the exclusivity factor anyway....

JoganJani

bktabinga, sweet ride. Did you get that "Hall" badge free with A-Spec badge? Man! get rid of it.

bktabinga

Another point to ponder on...

I have a heavily modded Type R. Whenever I brought it into Acura with problems with suspension, the JRSC, etc., the mechanics either weren't too familiar, were not allowed to touch, or didn't want to for fear that I would blame the dealership for an aftermarket incompatibility problem.

Here is what I got from the branch manager who I know pretty well, is well versed in the marketing behind vehicles and the overall current trend.

Remember back in the day when Honda was reeling from the Fast and Furious phenom, didn't want to accept, then they came out with a commercial conceding that their car was popular among the tuners, and the young crowd. Acura was much the same way, why would a "luxury" car company want to be associated with the rice car, aftermarket buzz. I mean after all, they are trying to compete with BMW, Lexus, etc. You don't see dropped LEXUS, or BMW with aftermarket intakes days after briging it home from the dealership.

We talked for a while about it, because, hey I was not about to shell 5K for essentially aftermarket stuff...even the RSX ASPEC that was sitting out in the showroom for months he conceded, who is going to buy that 4000 package that is nearly 1/4 the price of the car.

What it really means to pay that 5000 is that it is backed by Acura, that is under warranty, and that it is a premium line that they don't want prolifierating throughout the streets of the free world. Their TL's do damn fine without the ASPEC, their sales prove it. Road and Track, the TL haters of all time, gave it a 3 spot without the ASPEC citing it was their lack of RWD that did them in.

Every car company is going to have their extra line. Acura knew they were not going to give a TYPE-S model on the 04, but they still wanted the option of a cut above the rest available and that is what they did. I'm pretty sure that Acura doesn't really give a damn if 5 people all year by the ASPEC. You can buy cheaper aftermarket parts if you want, nothing is stopping you. I personnaly am glad that there is an option available. I am glad tha parts are covered under warranty, and I know full well that it may not do so hot on the resale as witnessed by my ITR experience.

bktabinga

You are RIGHT!!! Forgot about that, I just got it, give me day, it will be GONE!

My wife won't let me sell my ITR, she knows nothing about cars really but knows enough that the ITR is unique, and doesn't want me to "sell out" by selling it for less than what the personal, performance, and exclusivity is worth (because Kelly doesn't list, and your next best source is EBAY!!)

harddrivin1le

Looks good.

How does it handle vs. the stock suspension?

Aspector Gadget

Sawwwwwwweeeeeeeeett looking ride. I didn't like the look of the 18", but I had only seen them on silver and black. They look right at home on the anthricite. A BIG .

cM3go

i have an Anthracite TL, no kit and no 18 wheels... dayam I am gonna have to save my pennies!!!

J0KER

I gave up my 98 ITR#908 for my TL, and couldn't be more happy! I not only got piece of mind, I can sleep at night. No longer worrying about thieves following me home, or not being able to park the ITR anywhere..
Oh yeah, congrats on your new TL!!
Joker - who likes the A-Spec

moregrip

SBTL, where did they put the front A-spec sticker on the window?
Also, is the steering wheel somewhat different as others have said?
I'm still waiting to get my clear bra problem resolved before I get my A-spec installed.
BTW, sweet a$$ ride!!!
no bashing here, Congradulations!!!!

SBTL

I'm not sure what you mean by a A-SPEC window sticker. I don't have one...or at least I haven't noticed it. I'll look later.
There is A-SPEC badging below the TL badge at the bottom of the trunk lid.
The steering wheel is thicker and has silver leather inserts on the upper arms. It feels good and looks cool. It has all the same controls.

bktabinga

SBTL, dude...why no private messages...other ASPEC owners would like to contact you!!!! What gives!?

moregrip

SBTL, there is an aluminum A-spec sticker that goes on the winshield, at least the A-specs I've seen have had them.

SBTL

I changed my options so I can recieve email now.
Are you referring to one of those banners across the top of the windshield?
Definately wouldn't want one of those...

moregrip

no, no banners, from memory its about 6-8" wide, maybe 3" tall.

SBTL

No, I forsure don't have that.
I don't think I'd want it.
The trunk badge is enough for me.

alages

My A-Spec doesn't have one either, and I'm glad.
This is the first I've ever heard of it, and I definetly wouldn't want any more crap stuck on the car.

pabound

Guys, WHAT, exactly, is in the "A-Spec" Variant???

ed99

[/QUOTE]

Sweet......!!!!

bktabinga

Can't believe you gave up your ITR!!! How dare you betray the lady that treated you so well...I contemplated it, and tried, but in the end, could not part with my ITR 98. So now I'll just be a broke TL/ITR owner

Vffr1

Maybe you should be the Chairperson for Team Anthracite?

Looks nice. Light tint will set the car off!

Congrats!

Mike Smeezy,

rifleman-cl

According to reports, Honda will come out 1000 A-Spec kits @ 5k apiece for the first year. They just want to recover their R&D costs. After that, a lot more A-Spec kits will become available and partial ie shocks,springs & structs w/o the bodykit for less. Somewhere here in the East Coast, a dealer in NY offers it for 3800 install on the new car. I believe it's Curry Acura.

moregrip

Anthracite's are the fastest!!!!
Dyno proven!!!!

bktabinga

What reports do these come from...

I talked specifically from someone at Acura's division in charge of ASPEC sales and they had no current intentions of splitting the product.

Main reason, ACURA as a company actually values the package as a value addition. THey are afraid that dealers, whoemever, will misrepresent cars as an ASPEC, say for example, they only have the 18" wheels that can be purchased seperately.

I believe other companies are like that...when you try to build a BMW, you can't just choose the sport suspension, you have to get the sports package or performance package. Its alot easier to say, we have this BMW with this package then just to value a car by saying, here is a 330i, oh and it also has an upgraded suspension which normally comes with the 3900 performance package, so lets say, yeah, lets mark it up 3800 because all that other stuff is garbage.

I do hope that they lower the price after the initial charge up. It would be nice to have other ASPEC'ers out there. But I still feel it should not be sold individually...if you really want a tuned suspension on its own, get an aftermarket one, there are tons out there...but if you want to pay for Acuras R&D, then be willing to put up for the ASPEC package.

If Honda is coming out, it will be interesting to see on what, HONDA S2000, that would be really interesting, how do you make a well tuned car, better.